The 2nd Scorpion and Felix Prize

Publication Studio Vancouver is pleased to announce a call for submissions for the second The Scorpion and Felix Prize, a book prize for emerging artists. One artist will be selected by a jury to receive an honorarium of $500 and to have their book published by PSV.

Submissions are due on February 1, 2019

Submissions are open to all emerging artists who have demonstrated an interest in publication as an artistic practice through their work.

Preference will be given to artists who are willing to experiment with the book as a medium while keeping the conceptual and practical frameworks of PSV in mind. PSV will support the recipient to realize their book project by assisting with the logistical considerations for production. In addition to the production of the book, PSV is committed to offering organizational support for the project beyond the publication date. This will include a press announcement, a launch event, and inclusion in the Publication Studio distribution network.

Support from Publication Studio Vancouver

  • Cash prize of $500
  • Printing and design costs of production paid
  • 25 copies of the book for the artist
  • A launch event at PSV
  • Press announcement of publication via PSV’s social media
  • Inclusion in Publication Studio’s distribution network

How to Apply
Applications should be formatted as a single pdf containing all writing, accompanied by image files. Please do not embed images into the pdf (see below). Please include the following information:

  1. Contact Information
    Please include a page with your full name, address, telephone
    number, e-mail address and link to your website.
  2. Description of Project (maximum 500 words)
    Please describe the book you wish to make. Proposals need not be in fully realized form but should be coherent enough to demonstrate
    that the artist has thought through the book project carefully. Please reference any art historical influences and discuss any works that relate to your idea.
  3. Curriculum Vitae, 3 pages maximum
  4. Support Materials

Please include 10 images. They may either be packaged in a zip
folder file labeled with YOUR NAME or else included as a Dropbox link in the body of the pdf

  • size 1440 x 1080 pixels maximum in jpg format, 72 dpi
  • use the following naming convention LASTNAME01.jpg,
    LASTNAME02.jpg …
  • Include an annotated list that describes the images with the
    following information: title, date, medium, dimensions and brief
    description if necessary

All items should be sent as a zip file attachment or downloadable link in a single email to Publication Studio Vancouver, with the subject line BOOK AWARD (YOUR NAME). Emails should not exceed 20 MB.
E-mail: psvancouver@publicationstudio.biz

Unfortunately, due to the expected volume of submissions, we will not be able to acknowledge the receipt of applications, and will only be able to notify the selected applicant.

Timeline
All book proposals must be sent by February 1, 2019. Any applications sent after this date will not be considered. The selected applicant will be notified by March 1, 2019 with the expectation that work will commence in the spring 2019. The book will be published over the course of a year with an expected launch in the fall of 2019.

The Scorpion and Felix Prize is named after an unpublished comic novel written by Karl Marx in 1837 when he was 19 years old. The inaugural prize was given to Tracey Vath, with honourable mentions to Scott Elliot, Alina Senchenko and Bára Hladíková, Stacey Ho and Elisa Ferrari.

Publication Studio Vancouver publishes books on demand, creating original work with artists and writers we admire. PSV is part of a part of an international network of Publication Studios in other cities including PS Hudson (Troy, NY), PS London (UK), PS Glasgow, PS Rotterdam, PS Edmonton, PS Guelph, and PS Sao Paolo. Publication Studio is a laboratory for publication in its fullest sense -— not just the production of books, but the production of a public.